Exported deforestation in New Zealand
New Zealand: Exported deforestation was 13,511 hectares in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Exported deforestation in New Zealand, 2005–2023
Source: Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exported deforestation in New Zealand is 13,511 hectares, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 1.2% on the previous year and up 433.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exported deforestation in New Zealand peaked at 14,850 hectares in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2,532 hectares, in 2013.
That places New Zealand 17th out of 178 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Exported deforestation in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | hectares | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3,024 hectares | — |
| 2006 | 3,658 hectares | +20.9% |
| 2007 | 4,740 hectares | +29.6% |
| 2008 | 5,581 hectares | +17.7% |
| 2009 | 5,136 hectares | -8.0% |
| 2010 | 5,382 hectares | +4.8% |
| 2011 | 4,450 hectares | -17.3% |
| 2012 | 3,256 hectares | -26.8% |
| 2013 | 2,532 hectares | -22.2% |
| 2014 | 2,727 hectares | +7.7% |
| 2015 | 3,664 hectares | +34.4% |
| 2016 | 6,705 hectares | +83.0% |
| 2017 | 9,674 hectares | +44.3% |
| 2018 | 12,236 hectares | +26.5% |
| 2019 | 14,294 hectares | +16.8% |
| 2020 | 14,850 hectares | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 14,355 hectares | -3.3% |
| 2022 | 13,673 hectares | -4.8% |
| 2023 | 13,511 hectares | -1.2% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 13,511 hectares is above the median for high income countries, which is 40.55 hectares, 333.2× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 13,511 hectares is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1,873 hectares, 7.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 4,428 hectares | 3,024 hectares | 5,581 hectares | 5 |
| 2010s | 6,492 hectares | 2,532 hectares | 14,294 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 14,097 hectares | 13,511 hectares | 14,850 hectares | 4 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More environment data for New Zealand
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -0.2131 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 1.69 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.379 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.23 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -0.474 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.9337 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exported deforestation in New Zealand?
- Exported deforestation in New Zealand was 13,511 hectares in 2023, according to Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exported deforestation recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 14,850 hectares in 2020.
- What is the lowest exported deforestation recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,532 hectares in 2013.
- How does New Zealand rank for exported deforestation?
- New Zealand ranks 17th out of 178 countries with data for 2023.
- Is exported deforestation rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 433.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand data come from?
- The figures come from Singh et al. (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exported deforestation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Exported deforestation is the amount of annual deforestation that is driven by the production of food and forestry products that are exported for consumption in other countries. This is measured in hectares.